Tour Options in The West

Galway City's TIO (Tourist Information Office) has details of walking tours of Galway, which are organized by request. The City River Walk is a two-hour guided walk along the River Corrib led by Mike Lynch daily (at 11 AM and 3 PM), departing from Galway City Museum near the Spanish Arch. All TIOs in the West provide lists of suggested cycle tours.

The only full- and half-day guided bus tours in the region start from Galway. Bus Éireann coordinates two full-day tours, one covering Connemara and the other the Burren (each EUR 20). Tours run from early June to mid-October only, with the widest choice available between mid-July and mid-August. Book in advance at the Galway City TIO, Ceannt Railway Station on Eyre Square, or the Salthill TIO, which also serve as departure points.

Lally Tours runs a day tour through Connemara and County Mayo and another to the Burren. It also operates a vintage double-decker bus, departing from Eyre Square, which runs hourly tours of Galway City from 10:30 AM until 4:30 PM from mid-March to October; tickets cost EUR 12.

O'Neachtain Day Tours operates full-day tours of Connemara and the Burren. Tickets, EUR 25 each, can be purchased from the Galway City TIO; tours depart across the street.

Healy Tours offers historical sightseeing tours with professional guides, including Kylemore Abbey and Connemara or the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. Tickets, EUR 25 each, can be purchased from the Galway and Salthill Tourist Information Offices or on the tour bus.

The Connemara Walking Centre in Clifden, run by leading archaeologist Michael Gibbons, organizes everything from daylong mountain treks to weeklong holidays.

Also based in Clifden, Connemara Safari Walking Holidays offers five- and seven-day residential walking holidays starting in either Clifden or Westport. They specialize in "island-hopping" and will take you to remote islands for some unforgettable walks.

Croagh Patrick Walking Holidays runs weeklong walking holidays between April and September, based in B&B accommodations in the countryside near Westport on Clew Bay. Prices include pickup from Shannon Airport, all transfers to and from walks, and the services of an experienced guide. Contact Gerry Greensmyth in Belclare, Westport, County Mayo.

Tours

Mike Lynch (086/382-6425). Galway City Museum (091/562-000). Bus Éireann (091/562-000). Ceannt Railway Station (091/562-000). Connemara Safari Walking Holidays (Sky Rd., Clifden, Co. Galway. 095/21071. www.walkingconnemara.com). Connemara Walking Centre (Island House, Market St., Clifden, Co. Galway. 095/21492. www.walkingireland.com). Croagh Patrick Walking Holidays (Belclare, Westport, Co. Mayo. 098/26090. www.walkingguideireland.com). Healy Tours (091/770-066. www.healytours.ie). Lally Tours (091/562-905. www.lallytours.com). O'Neachtain Day Tours (091/553-188. www.oneachtaintours.com). Salthill TIO (091/520-500).